saitu282's reviews
269 reviews

Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

It's alright, I guess. The blurb made me assume we'd see what Kelly and Dancer were up to. Instead we get two randos who are difficult to care about. Dunno, they seem... To be trivially motivated. Like they're there just to move the plot along and renewal it to the readers piecemeal through two noobs' neophyte viewpoints. Noobs and neophyte in the sense that they don't have much idea what's going on. 

The way events play out in the end, I felt it was underwhelming. It was perfect to read right after Bonehunters, though, as a prequel to it, sincei t is set in Malaz isle, too. 
Trunk Music by Michael Connelly

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Loved returning to Bosch after a long time, and the streets of 90's LA felt oddly welcoming, with the way they are brought to life in the book. Which is weird because they were apparently crime ridden cesspools where people end up at in their journeys seeking fame and fortune. Parts of the book started feeling familiar and I thought it was deja vu, until I realised that I had already watched this book adapted into one season of the Bosch TV series. That was a while back, thankfully, and it was not too much of a spoiler as I recalled only a few parts, including one major twist. This really cements a conviction to read before watching adaptations. (Even though in hindsight the Bosch TV show was a very good adaptation.)
The Poet by Michael Connelly

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Was great to return to Connelly after a long time. The Poet was remarkably different from the Bosch books, yet, familiar all the same, and was oddly welcoming towards the end, when the plot takes us to LA. McEvoy not being a cop feels very restricted and powerless, however. Yet, he still manages to pull some impressive tricks.
The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson

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adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Most unputdownable book of the series so far. Thankfully a little less tragic than some of the other books before this..
The Crack in Space: A Novel by Philip K. Dick

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

5.0

An interesting look at possible race relations in America in the late 21'st century, from a '60's perspective. Was told it was a horror novel, but I think there are maybe just a couple parts which could sort of come across as being horror. The sci-fi was good and I loved the classic sci-fi vibe which was exactly what I was looking for. Some people don't like such sci-fi, and they are wrong. Go read it. 
Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson

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adventurous dark emotional funny informative mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Painful, poignant, and tragic as fuck. Some vindication, but nowhere near enough. Easily the most painful book yet, in this series. Brace yourself.
House of Chains by Steven Erikson

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

4.0

Beautiful. Thought it would be boring with another march, but this one's different. I hated the ending, however.
The Strange Demise of Titus Endor by Dan Abnett

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

4.0

A rather different sort of tale, following a strange, winding path. You question what is real, and what isn't, what is the truth, what is a lie, same as ol' Titus does. An interesting view into his mind.
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

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dark mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

Well, what a day to have eyes. To keep it spoiler free, I will say it is pretty dark. Wait for it. It gets fucked up. Brace yourself. It is a dark, dark book. There's an allegory in there, too, about blindly following "tradition" and "culture". A somber reminder to question everything and not take anything for granite. (Marble is okay, but no granite. Never. Granite.)
Born Unto Us by Dan Abnett

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dark funny reflective fast-paced

5.0

Brilliant, short, sweet, and still manages to be reflective, with a dark, ominous ending that also felt kind of.... funny. I recommend!